How did we decide to get into your line of service?

How did we decide to get into your line of service? Chef Tony’s first job was a server at a fine dining restaurant at the age of 15 years old. He learned at an early age a great appreciation for quality homemade recipe goodness. This started his 30 year path that has lead him to be the number one wedding caterer in the East Tennessee area. After completing a well rounded training in the “front of the house” restaurant work, Chef Tony joined the military as a cook and secured a spot on the U.S. Army Culinary Arts team in 1986.

Our Bakery

First Fruits Catering is more than just catering, they own a retail bakery and wedding cakes kitchen. Chef Tony personally prepares each wedding cake and “the secret to the perfect cake” is freshly baked cakes that are never frozen- using fresh ingredients and a special recipe buttercream frosting.

Preparing Fresh Food

More importantly Chef Tony learned early on that preparing fresh food items from raw ingredients makes all the difference in the end product taste. Culinary shows were not only a way for his team to ‘Show Off”, it was a lesson in discipline and endurance as well. He remembers events and culinary shows where the entire team would go without sleep for entire 24 hour periods , working on masterpieces, so that the end result would be “Gold Medal” medallions all around ! Post Military, Chef Tony dabbled in restaurant management while developing bakery/coffeehouse recipes. So in 1996 Chef Tony married the love of his life Michelle and they opened First Fruits Bakery and Catering. At the time, was a successful coffeehouse/restaurant wholesale bakery.

The Military Really Knows How to Throw a Party!

The military really knows how to throw a party! Chef Tony says cooking for high ranking officials, cooking for military Grand Balls, and participating in culinary competitions, etc.. was a great way to start his culinary career. He learned from some of the highest awarded chefs (30 year veterans) in the industry at the time, while competing in international culinary competitions. He served on the West Coast at Ft. Ord CA. and his team hosted many upscale social affairs in the Carmel , CA area. He remembers that actor Clint Eastwood was the Mayor of this Hollywood Socialite Get-a-way vacation town.